If there’s one trait the Chicago Blackhawks and the followers themselves love, it’s power. It’s the fervour and the onerous work that attracts followers to the Blackhawks. It’s why names like Andrew Shaw, Dave Bolland, and Jeremy Roenick will all the time be fan favorites for the way they performed on the ice. So, it might make sense for the Blackhawks to proceed on the lookout for gamers that play the blue-collar manner. When wanting on the 2023 NHL Draft prospects, the one participant that matches that mildew is Gracyn Sawchyn. He’s a favourite amongst draft prospects, and it’s not simply primarily based on expertise alone.
Sawchyn Would Carry Drive to Blackhawks
It has been stated in hockey which you could’t educate ability, however you can also’t educate drive, which inserts Sawchyn to a tee. When you have a look at any scouting report of his, the primary phrases that often pop up are “power” and “excessive motor.” By taking a look at his highlights, his recreation jogs my memory of three gamers: Brandon Hagel, Brayden Level, and Taylor Raddysh. He has comparable qualities that make these three gamers harmful.
Let’s begin with the plain, power. An additional effort to his recreation is clear the second you watch him. If he virtually will get tripped or has three gamers on him attempting to make a play? No drawback. He nonetheless manages to make a play or rating a objective underneath duress, which may be very Hagel-like. He’s nice at following his photographs by way of, which jogs my memory a number of Raddysh. If he takes an preliminary shot and a rebound comes again, he’ll strive once more, and it often pays off. Raddysh is identical manner; he often whacks at pucks till it will get into the web.
Associated: Gracyn Sawchyn – 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
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One other factor that stands out is he is an efficient perimeter passer and finds teammates rapidly that manner. One objective he had this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) discovered Blackhawks’ prospect Kevin Korchinski on the surface for a objective. He jogs my memory of Level within the sense that Level is a grasp at scoring targets within the heart slot, which is the place Sawchyn thrives, too. From a statistics standpoint, he was a constant participant with the Thunderbirds, with 58 factors in 58 video games (18 targets, 40 assists). He additionally netted 11 factors in 17 video games within the playoffs. General, he seems to be to be a gritty, extremely pushed ahead a number of upside.
Whereas talking with Logan Horn, our Director of Prospect Protection, his evaluation on Sawchyn was that of pleasure, stating, “Sawchyn may be very fast, has tremendous quick arms, and by no means provides up. He didn’t get tons of consideration this yr as a result of he was a second heart for Seattle till they added Brad Lambert (Winnipeg Jets) and Dylan Guenther (Arizona Coyotes). Then, he spent a lot of the later half of the yr as a 3rd heart however nonetheless put up roughly a degree per recreation. I feel he’s a first-rounder, however there appears to be a very good likelihood he falls to the second spherical. I like him as a fan-favourite, middle-six participant.”
Sawchyn has versatility in his recreation as a middle and can be utilized up and down within the lineup, and he thinks and performs the sport at a quick and excessive stage. Nonetheless, he’s a prospect that isn’t extremely talked about, which could possibly be nice information for the Blackhawks as a result of he may simply fall to them within the draft, whether or not they keep at nineteenth total or if he falls to the second spherical with their 4 second-round picks.
Blackhawks Already Established Ties With Sawchyn
The Blackhawks have already got robust ties to Seattle as they have already got three prospects in Korchinski, Nolan Allan, and Colton Dach. So, it might be believable to assume that the group has checked out Sawchyn. Including one other gifted ahead from the workforce that made it to Memorial Cup Remaining this yr is an efficient technique for them. It additionally provides already established chemistry within the pipeline with different prospects.
Moreover the chemistry and familiarity with different prospects, his game-style is contagious and would assist the Blackhawks. He’s the kind of participant the workforce may put anyplace in hopes of discovering a spark, however he is also a worthwhile depth participant. He has the potential to develop right into a top-six participant within the NHL, but when not, that may nonetheless be tremendous. The group can work with him in making him larger to assist his 5-foot-11 and 165-pound body and complement his already zesty play, however he already has a fascinating skillset for the NHL. He seems to be like the kind of participant the place you’ll all the time know what to anticipate of him. He could not all the time have the strongest recreation each evening, however he’ll give 100% each shift, which each and every workforce can profit from. His skills of pace, playmaking, offense, and energy can solely enhance because the 18-year-old grows. He could possibly be a steal within the draft.
If Chicago picked Sawchyn, I agree with Horn; he could be an immediate fan favourite. Gamers like him — being extremely motivated and expert as well — assist win video games, particularly in a rebuild setting. Absolutely, Chicago will probably be taking a look at these features when taking a look at somebody like him. The workforce has all the time succeeded when buying high-motor gamers like him, leading to many success tales, most not too long ago as Sam Lafferty or Cole Guttman final season. They’re hoping prospects like Paul Ludwinski and Samuel Savoie observe go well with, and who higher so as to add to that group than Sawchyn? Control him; he looks as if a primary Chicago goal.